REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday, March 25, 2004

PROPERTY developer Brian Ray admitted that he and other businessmen were behind the big-budget campaigns of a group of council candidates planning to form a voting bloc on the Gold Coast City Council.

Mr Ray, who had previously not confirmed his involvement in what has been dubbed the David

Power ‘power bloc’, said he had contributed money to a ”concept”.

Soheil Abedian, the head of listed company, the Sunland Group, said he had also given money to a trust fund, which was available to certain candidates.

Neither would say how much money they had given or which candidates were involved.

“Yes, we’re contributing to the fund but that’s all we’re doing,” said Mr Ray, who was also understood to have donated more than $40,000 to council

candidates in the Tweed.

“We’re not responsible for any of the campaign. We simply believe if a more coherent outcome can be achieved for the membership of that council, it will be in the interest of the city.

“The issue was really about trying to establish a caucus-style of council so that there could be some discussions about issues on a collegiate basis, prior to a decision being made.

“The mayor is just one of those people who votes.”